#14 @MizzouSoftball Gets Past California in Extra Innings, 6-5

Friday, March 4

Fullerton, Calif.

4:30 PM

University of Missouri

11-3

California

9-6

Missouri

California

#14 @MizzouSoftball Gets Past California in Extra Innings, 6-5

3/4/2016 9:13:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Tigers earn first extra inning win of the 2016 campaign

FULLERTON, Calif. – No. 14 Mizzou Softball picked up a thrilling 6-5 victory over California in eight innings on Friday at Anderson Family Field. Redshirt senior CF Taylor Gadbois (Maryville, Mo.) went 3-for-3 with two runs scored and three stolen bases while redshirt senior SS Sami Fagan (Dunnellon, Fla.) went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI.

In her first career start, sophomore IF Paige Bange (Jefferson City, Mo.) put Mizzou on top with an RBI sacrifice fly in the second inning. An inning later, senior OF Emily Crane (Troy, Mo.) smashed a solo home run to right to put the Tigers on top, 2-0.

Sophomore LHP Paige Lowary (Dallas Center, Iowa) cruised through the first three innings, retiring seven consecutive Golden Bears batters at one point. California finally broke through on Lowary in the fourth inning with RBI single.

The Tigers were in search of insurance runs heading to the fifth inning and Fagan came through with an opposite field two-run home run. California once again responded in the bottom half of the inning as it pushed two runs across the plate.

The Golden Bears scored a run for the third consecutive frame in the sixth inning to even the score. Both teams failed to score in the seventh and Friday's contest moved to extra innings. Mizzou's speed came into play in the eighth as Crane scored on a California error. Fagan's second hit of the game and third RBI pushed another across the plate for the Tigers.

California answered with one run in the bottom of the eighth but Lowary stranded the tying run to secure the Tigers' 11th victory of the season. Lowary battled throughout, allowing five runs (three earned) in a complete game win. The Tiger lefty improved to 6-2 on the year.

KEY MOMENT

With international rules in play in the eighth inning, Crane was placed on second and Gadbois' speed forced a California error on an attempted sacrifice bunt. Crane raced around the bases to put the Tigers back on top while Gadbois moved to second base. Fagan's second hit of the game (sixth multi-hit game of the year) added a second insurance run for Mizzou which proved pivotal.

TOP TIGERS

Gadbois: 3-for-3, 2 R, 3 SB (second three SB game of the year)
Fagan: 2-for-4, R, HR, 3 RBI
Lowary: (CG, W, 6-2) 8.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 4 K

UP NEXT

Mizzou wraps up its long west coast trip on Saturday, March 5, with two final games at the Judi Garman Tournament. First, the Tigers square off against No. 17 Arizona State at 7:30 p.m. (CT) followed by a matchup against No. 24 Baylor at 10 p.m. (CT).

Visit MUTigers.com for the latest information on all things Mizzou Softball. You can also find the Tigers on social media by liking us on Facebook (University of Missouri Softball Team) and following us on Twitter and Instagram (@MizzouSoftball).